Insurance Coverage

Most insurance companies and extended health care plans cover a specified amount for the services of a Registered Psychologist. If you are uncertain, you can contact your provider to inquire. We will provide a receipt for your submission to your benefits company, for all other benefit plan holders.

Currently, we offer direct billing submission for those with Alberta Blue Cross and Alberta School Employee (ASEBP) benefit plans only. Direct billing, per session and maximum, amounts are set by your plan. Please refer to your policy to determine these amounts.

Fees

The rate for individual or couple counselling is billed at a rate of $200 per therapy hour. Cash, Visa, MasterCard and Debit are accepted. Fees are to be paid in full at time of appointment.

Appointments

Counselling services are by appointment only. Individual session length is typically 50 minutes. Couple sessions are often longer, especially during the initial session.

Cancellations and Missed Appointments

A counselling session requires that a significant amount of time be reserved. In order to be fair to you, your psychologist, and other clients who are needing appointments, we have a policy requiring that the regular fee be charged for appointments that are not cancelled or rescheduled, 24 hours in advance.

What to expect?

Uncertainty can be stressful. Therefore, knowing what to expect can assist in understanding the counselling process at BalanceWorks.

Upon attending the first session you will be asked to complete intake forms, which will provide important information to the Psychologist about the reasons you have come to counselling.

During the first session, discussion regarding client goals and / or concerns will be explored. BalanceWorks seeks to provide a comfortable environment to work towards your therapeutic goals.

Additionally, It is important to ensure a good fit between counsellor and client. In order to do so, there are some factors to consider when choosing a counsellor, including:

Level of education and field of practice (e.g. Psychologist)?

There are no restrictions on calling one's self a therapist, psychotherapist, or even counsellor. However, Psychologists in Alberta are required to have completed a minimum Master level degree and have undertaken a stringent process of registration (including knowledge and oral examinations) to ensure competency to practice.

Whether the counsellor is a member of a recognized governing body and in good standing (e.g. College of Alberta Psychologists)?

The College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) is a recognized governing body in which a Psychologist practicing in Alberta must become a member. Further, Psychologists must adhere to stringent standards and ethical considerations to ensure ongoing registration with CAP.

While some therapy modalities might sound interesting, it is important to know that the approach being used is shown to be effective. The American Psychological Association (APA) defines EBPP as "the integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values." Further it notes that "the purpose of EBPP is to promote effective psychological practice and enhance public health by applying empirically supported principles of psychological assessment, case formulation, therapeutic relationship, and intervention."

How often the counsellor engages in professional development?

Like any field, updates and new information are vitally important when working within the counselling field. In order to ensure competency to practice, regular and ongoing professional development is important.